Welcome to another exciting episode of the most terrific podcast on the Internet today. In this episode, the hosts discuss using gpredict for satellite tracking, rig control and rotor contol. They also delve into some of the complexities of and rewards to satellite communication in amateur radio. Thank you for listening and see you in Xenia.

73 de The LHS Crew

Here is this week’s space weather and geophysical report, issued 2018 May 07 0147 UTC.

Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 30 April – 06 May 2018

Solar activity was very quiet throughout the reporting period. Region 2706 (N03, L=281, class/area Dao/130 on 22 Apr) produced the strongest event of the past week, a B1 flare on 01/2115 UTC. Activity on the farside of the Sun produced a halo CME signature first observed in LASCO C2 imagery at 03/1712 UTC; however, no Earth-directed CMEs were observed in available coronagraph imagery.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit ranged from normal to moderate levels from 30 Apr to 05 May. Influence from a negative polarity CH HSS caused an increase to high levels on 06 May with a peak flux of 11,500 pfu observed at 06/2305 UTC.

Geomagnetic field activity was mostly quiet until 05 May, when enhancements in the solar wind from the onset of a negative polarity CH HSS increased geomagnetic activity to G1 (Minor) storm levels. A further increase to G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm levels were observed early on 06 May. Solar wind speeds peaked at just over 700 km/s and persisted just below 700 km/s through the end of the reporting period. Total field peaked during the CIR, with a maximum of 17 nT observed at 05/1340 UTC. The maximum southward value of Bz was -14 nT which was observed 05/1327 UTC.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 07 May – 02 June 2018

Solar activity is expected to remain at very low levels over the next 27 days.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at moderate to high levels from 07-26 May and 02 Jun. Normal to moderate levels are expected over 27 May – 01 Jun. All enhancements in electron flux are attributed to the anticipation of influence from multiple, recurrent CH HSSs.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to range from quiet to G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm levels. G2 (Moderate) storm levels are likely on 17 May; G1 (Minor) storm levels are likely on 07 May and 02 Jun; active conditions are likely on 08-09 May, 18 May and 01 Jun; unsettled levels are likely on 10 May and 19 May. The remainder of the outlook period is expected to be mostly quiet. All enhancements to geomagnetic activity are due to multiple, recurrent CH HSSs.

Don’t forget to visit our live space weather and radio propagation web site, at: http://SunSpotWatch.com/

Live Aurora mapping is at http://aurora.sunspotwatch.com/

If you are on Twitter, please follow these two users: 1. https://Twitter.com/NW7US 2. https://Twitter.com/hfradiospacewx

Check out the stunning view of our Sun in action, as seen during the last five years with the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXN-MdoGM9g

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NOTICE: When you buy this (or any item after starting with this link), you are helping us keep our SunSpotWatch.com and other resources “on the air” (up and running!). In other words, you are helping the entire community. So, check out this book:

Here is the link to Amazon: http://g.nw7us.us/fbssw-aSWSC

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Triple D + 1 is live now.
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Stories you’ll find in our May, 2018 issue:

TSM Reviews: FlexRadio 6400M All-Mode HF+6 Transceiver
By Mark Haverstock K8MSH

While computer control has become integrated into amateur radio transceivers in recent years, there is still a substantial faction of amateur radio operators who want to hold onto the traditional buttons and knobs of their radios. FlexRadio’s new additions to the Signature Series give amateurs both options. The base Flex 6400 model is computer controlled, but they’ve also created an M version (M for Maestro) with traditional knobs, buttons and a touch display screen as well. The 6400M is an improved version of the 6300, with better specs, processors, and costs $500 less—at a price tag of $2000. It borrows features from both the 6300 and 6500 (both of which were recently discontinued). Note that the 6400 and 6400M models are identical, with the exception of the Maestro control interface. But, you’ll need to find a little extra table space at the operator’s position—it is bigger than a breadbox, with both the basic 6400 and the M versions have the same footprint and measure 7 x 14 x 13.125 inches. Mark unpacks the details of this modern and very capable HF+6 transceiver

Giving Undersea Cable its Just Deserts – 160 Years Past Due
By Richard Fisher KI6SN

Marconi got the hoopla for the first trans-Atlantic wireless communication. His transmission of the Morse letter S sped through the airwaves between the Canadian maritime province of Newfoundland and Cornwall, England, in the waning days of 1901. But 43 years earlier – in 1858 – it was New York businessman Cyrus Field who was the impetus behind the remarkable achievement of the first telegraphy Communications between two continents—Newfoundland to Ireland—under the sea. Why no such accolades for Cyrus in reciting the technological achievements in communication of the mid-19th and early-20th centuries, 160 years ago, no less? Richard dives deep to find an amazing web of undersea cables stretching around the entire globe—an vital part of modern communications.

TSM Reviews: Yaesu FTM-750DR VHF/UHF Transceiver
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV

Yaesu recently introduced and is now shipping another System Fusion transceiver – the FTM-7250 mobile. As this month’s installment of Digitally Speaking covers connectors and genders, perhaps the simplest way to describe the ‘7250 is for you to imagine that the FTM-3200 (VHF) and FTM-3207 (UHF) monobanders got together and had a baby. With the April release of the FTM-7250, Yaesu now offers a total of eight radios, with an even split between entry-level transceivers with “core” features and those with advanced-level feature sets. Think about that for a moment. Eight radios, plus two repeaters and two different networking concepts. That’s a fairly diverse selection of equipment – not to mention the various means of third-party support for this DV methodology – that is only four years old, from the time of its full release.

Free-to-Air Satellite-TV List Update
By Mike Kohl

Free-to-Air (FTA) satellite-TV enthusiasts sometimes have a challenge keeping track of satellite names and positions. Throughout the years aerospace companies merge, creating new names for their fleet, or launch a new series of satellites, reflecting advances in technology. This month, Mike has created an updated list for North American FTA viewers covering eastern Atlantic arc satellites from 1.0 degrees West longitude, across our domestic satellite arc, and extending to 166 East, which can be received by those with a 3 to 4 meter C-band dish from unobstructed locations on the West Coast. In addition to updating the list of names to reflect mergers and acquisitions in the industry and new satellites replacing old, Mike gives you tips on aligning fixed and steerable dishes.

Scanning America
By Dan Veeneman
Sublette County, Wyoming; Washoe County, Nevada

Federal Wavelengths
By Chris Parris
USS Portland HYDRA System

Milcom
By Larry Van Horn N5FPW
Military Base Profile: Edwards AFB (KEDW)

Utility Planet
By Hugh Stegman NV6H
Doing Battle with STANAG 4285

Shortwave Utility Logs
Compiled by Hugh Stegman and Mike Chace-Ortiz

VHF and Above
By Joe Lynch N6CL
West Point Cadets Launch Two Balloons

Digitally Speaking
By Cory Sickles WA3UVV
Goes Inta / Goes Outta

Amateur Radio Insights
By Kirk Kleinschmidt NT0Z
Feed Line Ferrite Chokes—Noise Reduction that Beats the Best DSP?

Radio 101
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
Gospell AM/FM/SW/DRM Receiver

Radio Propagation
By Tomas Hood NW7US
The Switch in May

The World of Shortwave Listening
By Jeff White, Secretary-Treasurer NASB
Shortwave Broadcasters and Listeners to Meet in Indiana

The Shortwave Listener
By Fred Waterer
Voice of Greece, Radio Tirana, and Country Music on Shortwave

Amateur Radio Astronomy
By Stan Nelson KB5VL
NAVSPASUR Revisited

The Longwave Zone
By Kevin O’Hern Carey WB2QMY
Bill Oliver—Quiet Giant of Longwave

Adventures in Radio Restorations
By Rich Post KB8TAD
A Not-so-Scarce Hallicrafters: Model SX-99

Welcome to the newest edition of Linux in the Ham Shack, Weekender Edition. In this episode, we have a special interview with our friend Carter Hutchinson, K9KJN, who has a varied and very interesting back story and current story. We also discuss upcoming ham radio contests, special events, Open Source conferences, obscure Linux distributions, listener challenges, wine, food and song. Everything to keep you going for the next two weeks. Thanks for listening and see you in Xenia!

73 de The LHS Crew